Cattle breeding in the highlands of Peru is an important economic activity at the level of the entire rural extension, because it serves as an economic reserve for rural families and forms an integral part of the agri cultural producer’s culture. This review aimed to provide a literature- and research-based approach to the fundamental aspects of a national genetic improvement plan, emphasising the efficacy of using a bovine germplasm of high genetic quality as an initiative to implement genetic improvement programmes. The concepts to be implemented in national livestock farming include high yield, feed conversion efficiency, and minimum greenhouse gas emissions. The use of a dual-purpose germplasm to maximise the usefulness of livestock farmers and the implementation of improvement programmes, with the expectation of achieving a differential increase in genetic merit, were also considered. In addition to aspects related to milk and carcase quality, there is a terri torial approach, such as the case of breeds that adapt to terminal crossbreeding and consider reproductive as pects. One of the final aspects considered is the conservation and valuation of local animals within conservation and improvement plans owing to their resistance and adaptation to temperature and altitude conditions

The aim of this review is to address the issue of textile-origin microplastics and to provide possible solutions that can be propose through a scientific and development program. The constant expansion of textile production and consumption, driven by population growth and the ubiquity of fast fashion, has triggered environmental contamination resulting from the release of fiber fragments during the washing and use of clothing and household textiles. These fragments, ranging in size from 1 μm to 5 mm, pose a novel source of pollution that not only threatens the health of aquatic animals when ingested but also risks human food safety by infiltrating the food chain. Despite the growing awareness of the environmental impacts of these plastic microfibers (MP) from synthetic textiles, this study departs from conventional actions focused on mitigating microplastic pollution. Instead, it focuses on proposing specific measures to reduce MP emissions and addresses the even greater challenge of replacing these plastic microfibers with animal-origin textile fibers. This approach emerges as a promising and sustainable alternative to counteract the negative environmental impact of the contemporary fashion industry. The essence of this challenge lies in determining the competitiveness of animal-origin textile fibers against MP. To achieve this goal, specific actions are proposed, including the need to reduce both the environmental impact and costs associated with processing animal fibers. The study also emphasizes the importance of effectively highlighting the biological and textile advantages of these fibers to encourage their acceptance and adoption in the competitive textile market. This project addresses concrete strategies to promote the use of animal-origin textile fibers. It suggests optimizing the cleaning process and genetically improving these fibers, considering key aspects such as quality and color. The research also highlights the potential contribution to sustainability certification and well-being associated with the use of animal-origin textile fibers, providing a solid foundation for their adoption in the textile industry. In conclusion, this work not only departs from traditional measures focused on microplastics to address MP release but ventures into more ambitious territory by proposing increased use of animal-origin textile fibers as a path to a more sustainable fashion. Specific actions are outlined to enhance the competitiveness of these fibers in the current market, emphasizing their potential contribution to reducing textile pollution and thus strengthening the transition to more environmentally responsible practices in the fashion industry.

In this research, the connection between age and microbial diversity in cattle was explored, revealing significant changes in both protist diversity and fungal microbiota composition with age. Using fecal samples from 21 Simmental cattle, microbial communities were analyzed through 18S rRNA gene sequencing. Results indicated significant differences in alpha protist diversity among the three age groups, while fungal composition varied notably with age and was linked to hematological parameters. Despite the stability of fungal alpha diversity, compositional changes suggest the gut as a stable niche for microbial colonization influenced by diet, clinical parameters, and microbial interactions. All cattle were maintained on a consistent diet, tailored to meet the specific nutritional needs of each age group. These findings emphasize the importance of understanding age-related microbial dynamics to enhance livestock management and animal health, contributing to broader ecological and biomedical research. This study was limited by the lack of comprehensive metabolic analyses correlating microbiota changes with specific age-related variations, indicating a need for further research in this área.

Ullucus tuberosus is an Andean region crop adapted to high-altitude environments and dryland cultivation. It is an essential resource that guarantees food security due to its carbohydrate, protein, and low-fat content. However, current change patterns in precipitation and temperatures warn of complex scenarios where climate change will affect this crop. Therefore, predicting these effects through simulation is a valuable tool for evaluating this crop’s sustainability. This study aims to evaluate ulluco’s crop yield under dryland conditions at 3914 m.a.s.l. considering climate change scenarios from 2024 to 2100 by using the AquaCrop model. Simulations were carried out using current meteorological data, crop agronomic information, and simulations for SSP1-2.6, SSP3-7.0, and SSP5-8.5 of CMIP 6. The results indicate that minimum temperature increases and seasonal precipitation exacerbation will significantly influence yields. Increases in rainfall and environmental CO2 concentrations show an opportunity window for yield increment in the early stages. However, a negative trend is observed for 2050–2100, mainly due to crop temperature stress. These findings highlight the importance of developing more resistant ulluco varieties to heat stress conditions, adapting water management practices, continuing modeling climate change effects on crops, and investing in research on smallholder agriculture to reach Sustainable Development Goals 1, 2, and 13

The biomass that accumulates on the forest floor and its subsequent decomposition play an important role in maintaining the productivity of different terrestrial ecosystems by constituting the main nutrient flow to the soil. The objective of the study focused on analyzing the nutrient contribution to the soil derived from the aboveground biomass of three native forest species in relict forests of the Central Peruvian Sierra with socioeconomic and environmental relevance. Using random delineation methods, soil samples were collected at 20-30 cm depth, which were subjected to physical, chemical, and biological analyses, developing the determination of a Soil Quality Index (SQI). The results highlight that forests of Polylepis racemosa and Alnus acuminata significantly exhibit a higher SQI, with values of 0.66 and 0.58, respectively, compared to Escallonia resinosa, with the forestless system being of lower quality with an SQI of 0.28. The relict forests, Dorado, Colpar, and Talhuis, presented the highest SQIs (0.53, 0.52, and 0.48), while Saño obtained the lowest SQI with 0.39, with no significant differences among them. The forests of Polylepis racemosa and Alnus acuminata showed a superior soil structure, higher organic matter content, moisture retention, and microbial biomass compared to other analyzed systems.

Urban growth and Land Use/Land Cover (LULC) changes have increased in recent decades due to anthropogenic activities. This study explored past and projected future LULC changes and urban growth patterns in the Bagua Grande and Chachapoyas districts using Landsat imagery, cloud computing, and predictive models for 1990 to 2031. The analysis of satellite images was grouped into four time periods (1990–2000, 2000–2011, 2011–2021 and 2021–2031). The Google Earth Engine (GEE) cloud-based system facilitated the classification of Landsat 5 ETM (1990, 2000, and 2011) and Landsat 8 OLI (2021) images using the Random Forest (RF) model. A simulation model integrating Cellular Automata (CA) and an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) Multilayer Perceptron (MLP) in the MOLUSCE plugin of QGIS was used to forecast urban sprawl to 2031. The resulting maps showed an overall accuracy (OA) of over 92%. A decrease in forested area was observed, from 20,807.97 ha in 1990 to 14,629.44 ha in 2021 in Bagua Grande and from 7,796.08 ha to 3,598.19 ha in Chachapoyas. In contrast, urban areas experienced a significant increase, from 287.49 to 1,128.77 ha in Bagua Grande and from 185.65 to 924.50 ha in Chachapoyas between 1990 and 2021. By 2031, the urban area of Bagua Grande is expected to increase from 1,128.77 to 1,459.25 ha (29%) in a southeast, south, southwest, west, and northwest direction. Chachapoyas expanded from 924.50 to 1138.05 ha (23%) in the southwest, north, northeast, and southeast directions. The study presents an analytical method integrating cloud processing, GIS, and change simulation modeling to evaluate urban growth spatio-temporal patterns and LULC changes. This approach effectively identified the main LULC changes and trends in the study area. In addition, potential urbanization areas are highlighted where there are still opportunities for developing planned and managed urban settlements.

This research aims to assess the efficacy of two genera of rhizobacteria from avocado field isolated: Pseudomonas and Bacillus, as plant growth‐promoting microorganisms in Hass avocado trees grafted onto Zutano rootstock.

Strawberry cultivation requires strategies that maintain or improve its yield within a scheme in which reducing fertilizers and other chemical products can make its consumption safer and more environmentally friendly. This study aims to evaluate the effect of Bacillus subtilis and Rhizophagus intraradices on strawberry growth, yield, and fruit quality. B. subtilis and R. intraradices were inoculated and co-inoculated under three fertilization levels of 225-100-250, 112-50-125, and 0-0-0 kg・ha−1 of N, P2O5 and K2O. Vegetative growth was evaluated in plant height (cm), leaf area (cm2), aerial fresh weight (g), aerial dry weight (g), and plant coverage (%) variables. Fruit quality parameters such as total acidity (g・100 mL−1), soluble solids (Brix◦), and firmness (kg) were also determined, as well as the number of fruits per m2 and yield (t・ha−1). The results showed that the pre-treatment of root immersion in a nutrient solution with B. subtilis and the fractionation of 6 L B. subtilis inoculation per plant at a concentration of 107 CFU・mL−1, in combination with 225-100-250 kg・ha−1 of N, P2O5, and K2O, achieved the highest accumulation of dry matter (12.9 +- 1.9 g・plant−1), the highest number of fruits (28.2 +- 4.5 fruits・m−2), and the highest yield (7.2 +- 1.4 t・ha−1). In addition, this treatment increased the soluble sugar content by 34.78% and fruit firmness by 26.54% compared to the control without inoculation. This study highlights the synergistic effect of mineral nutrition and microbial inoculation with B. subtilis in increasing strawberry yield and fruit quality.

Previous studies showed that biochar amended soils significantly enhanced the growth and yield of quinoa under water limitations. So it becomes an emerging agronomic strategy to consider for sustainable quinoa production. Biochar can specifically be considered for the area particularly receiving low annual rainfall and more vulnerable to current climate change conditions

El maracuyá (Passiflora edulis S.) es un fruto tropical de interés socio-económico en Perú, usado como ingrediente en la industria alimentaria, estética y medicina. No obstante, este cultivo presenta un bajo poder germinativo, por lo cual es necesario realizar tratamientos pre germinativos, para incrementar el porcentaje de germinación y el desarrollo inicial de las plántulas. Objetivo: evaluar el efecto de diferentes bioestimulantes a 12 h y 24 h de hidratación sobre la germinación de semillas de maracuyá. Metodología: se recolectaron semillas de maracuyá de frutos grandes y redondos, libre de patógenos. Las semillas sin arilo fueron tratadas: T0 (agua destilada), T1 (azufre 25 g/10 L), T2 (azufre 50 g/10 L), T3 (biol 3%), T4 (biol 5%), T5 (canela 25%), T6 (canela 50%), T7 (suero de leche 25%) y T8 (suero de leche 50%) durante 12 h y 24 h de imbibición. Las variables evaluadas fueron: agua absorbida, tasa de imbibición (TI), porcentaje de germinación (PG), velocidad de germinación (VG), índice de germinación (IG) y primer día de germinación (PDG). Resultados: la mayor absorción de agua se da en las 9 primeras horas. Los Tratamientos T4, T5 y T6 mejoraron significativamente el PG, VG, IG, PDG a 12 h de imbibición. Sin embargo, a 24 h de imbibición estos valores disminuyen. El PG presentó una alta correlación positiva con VG e IG. Asimismo, la VG presentó una correlación altamente negativa con PDG. Implicaciones: El uso de bioestimulantes incrementa la germinación. Conclusiones: El extracto de canela a 25% y 50%, y biol 5% a 12 h de imbibición mejoran significativamente las variables evaluadas comparadas con la imbibición a 24 h. La correlación positiva entre las variables indica una relación directa entre estas.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In the meat industry, inefficient management of organic waste exists, therefore the study aims to evaluate different bovine and poultry organic residues as food substrates during larval development of the black soldier fly, such as a sustainable alternative to obtain high protein meal. METHODS: The research evaluates the use of organic waste from cattle and poultry slaughterhouses, as food substrate for black soldier fly larvae, including raw beef blood T1, raw beef viscera T2, cooked beef blood T3, cooked beef viscera T4, raw chicken viscera T6 and cooked chicken viscera T7; further, as a control measure balanced feed (7 treatments and 5 replicates). Larvae were fed for 5 days and processed to make meal by drying and grinding; evaluating mortality, weight, size, proximal chemical composition, and apparent digestibility to determine the most viable substrate, analyzing effects and significance by multifactorial ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis. FINDING: The results show Mortality (F = 917,81, p < 0,0001): T1 y T3 with 76,40 ± 2,86 (%) (F = 917,81, p < 0,0001), following T6 with 69,67 ± 4,55%, T7 with 24,00 ± 3,48%, T2 with 4,60 ± 1,92 %, T5 y T4, both with 4,20 ± 2,00 %. Weight (F = 825,62, p < 0,0001): T2 with 1,78 ± 0,22 gram outperformed the control T5 (1,76 ± 0,50 gram), T4 with 1,45 ± 0,06 g and T7 with 1,66 ± 0,07 gram. Size (F = 248,95, p < 0,0001): T5 with 16,03 ± 0,34 mm, T2 with 15,86 ± 0,22 mm, T4 with 14,72 ± 0,35 mm and finally, 14,51 ± 0,14 millimeter in T7. Proximal chemical analysis of crude protein and fat: T2 resulted in the following results 50,81 % and 21,88 %, T4 with 53,90% y 15,04%, T7 with 42,63 % and 32,03%, and T5 con 41,1 % and 19.55%, respectively. Digestibility: T5 with 20,39%, T2 with 12,66%, T4 with 10,61% and T7 with 5,97%. T2 raw beef viscera were determined to be the most viable substrate, followed by T4 cooked beef viscera and T7 cooked chicken viscera. CONCLUSIONS: Testing the effectiveness of cattle viscera as substrate, the experimental data presented may help design a process for an effective treatment method for slaughterhouse waste, which might benefit developing nations in managing their waste effectively, generating high protein meal, with the potential for a circular bioeconomy.

Canopy temperature (CT) as a surrogate of stomatal conductance has been highlighted as an essential physiological indicator for optimizing irrigation timing in potatoes. However, assessing how this trait could help improve yield prediction will help develop future decision support tools. In this study, the incorporation of CT minus air temperature (dT) in a simple ecophysiological model was analyzed in three trials between 2017 and 2018, testing three water treatments under drip (DI) and furrow (FI) irrigations. Water treatments consisted of control (irrigated until field capacity) and two-timing irrigation based on physiological thresholds (CT and stomatal conductance). Two model perspectives were implemented based on soil water balance (P1) and using dT as the penalizing factor (P2), affecting the biomass dynamics and radiation use efficiency parameters. One of the trials was used for model calibration and the other two for validation. Statistical indicators of the model performance determined a better yield prediction at harvest for P2, especially under maximum stress conditions. The P1 and P2 perspectives showed their highest coefficient of determination (R2) and lowest root-mean-squared error (RMSE) under DI and FI, respectively. In the future, the incorporation of CT combining low-cost infrared devices/sensors with spatial crop models, satellite image information, and telemetry technologies, an adequate decision support system could be implemented for water requirement determination and yield prediction in potatoes.

This study evaluated the gut microbiota and meat quality traits in 11 healthy female cattle from the Huaral region of Peru, including 5 Angus, 3 Braunvieh, and 3 F1 Simmental × Braunvieh. All cattle were 18 months old and maintained on a consistent lifelong diet. Meat quality traits, including loin area, fat thickness, muscle depth, and marbling, were assessed in vivo using ultrasonography. Fecal samples were collected for microbiota analysis, and DNA was extracted for 16S and 18S rRNA sequencing to characterize bacterial, fungal, and protist communities. Significant correlations were observed between microbial genera and meat traits: Christensenellaceae R-7 and Alistipes were positively associated with marbling and muscle area, while Rikenellaceae RC9 showed a negative correlation with fat thickness. Among fungi, Candida positively correlated with marbling, while Trichosporon was negatively associated with muscle depth. For protists, Entodinium negatively correlated with fat thickness and marbling. Alpha diversity varied by breed, with Angus showing greater bacterial diversity, and beta diversity analyses indicated a strong breed influence on microbial composition. These findings suggest that microbial composition, shaped by breed and dietary consistency, could serve as an indicator of meat quality, offering insights into gut microbiota’s role in optimizing cattle production.

Goat breeding in Peru is one of the main activities of smallholders. Goats are distributed in different agroecological zones and regions of the country, developing under heterogeneity of production systems, making it difficult to understand goat breeders’ socioeconomic, technological, and productive situations. This study aimed to characterize and typify the goat production systems in the highlands of southeast Peru. A survey was conducted with 91 goat farmers from five districts of Ayacucho, Peru, using a structured and individualized questionnaire administered on their farms. The socio-economic, productive, and commercial characteristics of the goat production systems were recorded. A multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) and hierarchical classification analysis (HCA) were performed to establish a typology of the smallholders. The results reveal that the breeding system is extensive, where there is no breeding program, with natural pastures and crop stubble being the source of food for the herds. Only slightly more than half (54%) carry out a deworming program. Farmers were categorized into three different groups, corresponding to three different farming systems: Group 1 farmers raised goats solely for home consumption; Group 2 breeders raised goats for both consumption and marketing of surplus products (cheese, milk, and meat), and Group 3 farmed focused on producing cheese and goat kids and selling to local markets. The study provides valuable insights that will help design effective breeding strategies to develop sustainable goat farming in the region, considering different production systems and their respective socio-economic and trade dynamics. This classification will be essential for tailoring development programs to the specific needs of each group, promoting better use of resources, improving productivity, and enhancing the livelihoods of smallholder goat producers in Peru.

Background and Aim: Characterizing local animal production systems is crucial for sustainable livestock development. This study aimed to characterize the diversity of goat production systems in the Highlands of Chincha province, Ica, Peru. Materials and Methods: A structured questionnaire was used to gather data from 82 goat breeders in three districts: San Juan de Yanac, San Pedro de Huacarpana, and Chavín. Factor analysis of mixed data and hierarchical classification analysis were conducted to identify typologies of goat production systems using R version 4.4.2. Results: Four distinct goat production types were identified, primarily differentiated by feeding location and deworming frequency. Type 2 (41.5%) was the most prevalent, characterized by grazing on breeders own land, minimal milk production (<1 liter/day, 91.2%), and a focus on cheese and goat kid sales (70.6%). Breeders were predominantly women, with limited resources and extensive management systems. Across all types, mixed breeding was common, and economic reliance on livestock and agriculture prevailed. Conclusion: Despite their diversity, all goat production systems shared extensive management practices and resource constraints, resulting in low productivity. These findings highlight the need for targeted public policies to improve productivity and sustainability in goat farming within the Ica region.

Dry forests are ecosystems of great importance worldwide, but in recent decades they have been affected by climate change and changes in land use. In this study, we evaluated land use and land cover changes (LULC) in dry forests in Peru between 2017 and 2021 using Sentinel-2 images, and cloud processing with Machine Learning (ML) models. The results reported a mapping with accuracies above 85% with an increase in bare soil, urban areas and open dry forest, and reduction in the area of crops and dense dry forest. Protected natural areas lost 2.47% of their conserved surface area and the areas with the greatest degree of land use impact are located in the center and north of the study area. The study provides information that can help in the management of dry forests in northern Peru.

El objetivo de estudio fue comparar las características testiculares mediante la ultrasonografía B mode y Doppler en alpacas tui y adultos. El estudio fue realizado en el Centro Experimental Chuquibambilla de la Universidad Nacional del Altiplano, Puno, Perú, durante la época reproductiva (marzo). Se utilizaron 15 tui machos (G1) de 12 a 14 meses de edad y 14 adultos (G2) de 24 a 36 meses. Se evaluaron las características ultrasonográficas B mode (largo [mm], ancho [mm], área [cm2] y volumen testicular [cm3]) y Doppler (índice de resistencia [IR], índice de pulsatibidad [IP] y área vascular testicular [AVT]) con un equipo Draminski 4Vet® y un transductor micro convexo y lineal con una frecuencia de 9 MHz. Lo datos fueron analizados mediante un diseño factorial de 2x2. El largo, ancho, volumen y área testicular dentro de cada grupo etario no presentó diferencias significativas entre el testículo derecho e izquierdo; sin embargo, las medidas de las alpacas adultos fueron significativamente mayores que en las tuis (p<0.05). El IR fue similar en ambos grupos etarios, pero el AVT fue superior en los tuis en comparación con los adultos.

The fiber quality of cotton (Gossypium barbadense L.) native to the Peruvian Amazon region is one of the most versatile and essential natural fibers in the Peruvian textile industry. There is little information about the fiber quality traits of cotton genotypes native to the Peruvian Amazon region. This study investigated the fiber quality traits of Peruvian Pima cotton accessions native to the Amazon region of the La Convención Province, Cusco, Peru, to determine the lines with the greatest potential for improving fiber quality in cotton genetic breeding programs. A total of 14 cotton accessions with white fiber color, being 12 accessions of G. barbadense L. (Pima cotton) and two accessions of Gossypium sp. (unknown cotton), were analyzed. The fiber properties determined using the high volume instrument method included seven characteristics. All fiber properties were classified into five quality classes. The data on fiber quality properties were subjected to distribution, correlation, and canonical variable analysis. The results of fiber quality properties showed that the two accessions of Gossypium sp. (unknown cotton) can be promising options to be used as high-quality fiber progenies in crop genetic breeding programs or can be cultivated by regional farmers for the purpose of producing cotton with high fiber quality. Future investigations could utilize other methods of fiber quality analysis and compare the fiber quality of these cotton accessions native to the Peruvian Amazon region with other cotton species grown worldwide to improve the understanding of Pima cotton fiber quality and its applicability in different contexts of the textile industries.

This study provides a comprehensive mitochondrial genome sequence and a phylogenetic analysis of Jakumaru (Bos taurus), a prominent bull from a Peruvian breeding program. The mitochondrial genome, spanning 16,340bp, comprises 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, and 2 rRNA genes, with a GC content of 40%. The gene arrangement and structural organization are highly conserved, closely resembling those of related Bovine species, indicating a stable genomic architecture essential for mitochondrial function. Phylogenetic analysis, incorporating 35 complete bovine mitochondrial genomes, positions Jakumaru within Subclade I, revealing a close relationship with European Simmental cattle. The study emphasizes the biological diversity and the evolution of the Simmental breed, influenced by natural selection, breeding practices, and genetic drift. These findings enhance our understanding of the breed's genetic variation and its evolution, particularly in the context of its importance in Peru

El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar los costos de producción del ovino criollo. La investigación se realizó en el Centro Experimental Chuquibambilla de la Universidad Nacional del Altiplano, en Puno, Perú, al sur del Perú, a una altitud de 3970 msnm. Para calcular los costos de producción, se aplicaron los principios de costos directos e indirectos, obteniendo los datos de los registros contables del centro. En el proceso de cálculo de los costos de producción, se utilizaron precios de mercado para asegurar su fidelidad a la realidad económica. En algunos casos, también se consideraron los precios internos de ventas en el centro, utilizando la moneda local, el Sol (S/), como unidad monetaria. Los resultados revelan que, en la estructura global de costos, la mano de obra directa constituye el 77,2%, seguida de la alimentación con un 5,89%, y el personal administrativo representa el 5,65%, entre otros. Se observó una rentabilidad negativa del -3,70%. Para alcanzar el punto de equilibrio, se calculó que se necesitarían en promedio 2218 ovinos. Este estudio detalla los costos de criar ovinos criollos, ofreciendo información valiosa para la toma de decisiones en la gestión ganadera en regiones de altura como en el sur del Perú.